The verdict in three sentences
For a B2B e-commerce site run from Amsterdam that also sells to Morocco, Stripe at 1.5% + EUR 0.25 on European cards is the efficient choice for the EU customer base, with SEPA Direct Debit for large orders. CMI, Morocco's card processing network, remains the reference to collect Moroccan cards in dirhams at 1.5 to 2.5% per transaction with onboarding fees, but it requires a Moroccan legal entity and a local bank account. For a supplier active on both sides of the Mediterranean, the most profitable setup combines Stripe for Europe and CMI for Morocco, for EUR 1,400 to 3,700 (15,000 to 40,000 MAD) of integration.
CMI and Stripe: 2026 fees side by side
CMI rates are negotiated by volume and acquiring bank, Stripe rates are public. Figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Criterion | CMI (Morocco) | Stripe (EU entity) |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic card fee | 1.5 to 2.0% (Moroccan cards) | 1.5% + EUR 0.25 (standard EU cards) |
| Foreign card fee | 2.0 to 2.5% | 2.5% + EUR 0.25 (UK), 3.25% + EUR 0.25 (outside Europe) |
| Onboarding or activation fee | 2,000 to 5,000 MAD | 0 |
| Monthly subscription | 100 to 300 MAD depending on bank | 0 |
| Settlement currency | MAD to a Moroccan account | EUR to a European account |
| Payout delay | T+2 to T+3 | T+2 to T+7 depending on country |
| SEPA Direct Debit and B2B transfers | No | Yes, EUR 0.35 per SEPA debit |
In B2B, the gap widens on large orders: a SEPA debit at EUR 0.35 on a EUR 3,000 order costs about 0.01%, against 2% or more by card. Dutch buyers also expect iDEAL, available on Stripe at a flat fee per transaction.
Currency, compliance and acceptance rates
The Moroccan dirham is not freely convertible, so CMI receipts land in MAD on a Moroccan account, and repatriating foreign-currency revenue follows Office des changes rules. Stripe settles in euros on a European entity, which is straightforward for a Dutch BV with its own VAT number.
| Checkpoint | CMI | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate, Moroccan cards | 88 to 93% | not applicable for Moroccan issuers via local acquiring |
| Acceptance rate, European cards | 78 to 86% (3-D Secure, anti-fraud filters) | 93 to 97% |
| Strong authentication | 3-D Secure mandatory | 3-D Secure 2 with PSD2 exemptions |
| Multi-currency invoicing | Limited | More than 135 currencies |
| Currency constraints | Office des changes regulation | None on the EU side |
| Integration cost alone (MAD) | 15,000 to 25,000 | 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Dual-gateway integration with routing by country | 30,000 to 40,000 | included |
For medical equipment, add handling of approved quotes, purchase orders from institutions and bank transfer payments for hospitals, which rarely pay by card.
The recommended setup for a Europe and Morocco seller
Automatic routing follows the billing address: European customers go to Stripe in EUR with SEPA Direct Debit offered above EUR 1,000, Moroccan customers go to CMI in MAD through the Moroccan subsidiary. Clinics and hospitals receive a payment link or a bank transfer invoice. This setup avoids currency costs on European sales and improves acceptance by 8 to 12 points.
Mini case study
Youssef, e-commerce director at a medical equipment group with headquarters in Amsterdam and a subsidiary in Casablanca, collects EUR 300,000 a year from European clinics and 6,000,000 MAD in Morocco, all through CMI today. European cards suffer 2.5% fees and 15% declines.
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Current cost on the European side: EUR 300,000, about 3,240,000 MAD, at 2.5% = 81,000 MAD (EUR 7,500). With Stripe through the Dutch entity, on 250 orders of EUR 1,200: 1.5% + EUR 0.25, i.e. EUR 4,563, about 49,300 MAD. Annual savings of 31,700 MAD (EUR 2,900), plus acceptance rising from 85% to 95%, roughly EUR 35,000 of recovered sales. For a dual-gateway integration at 35,000 MAD (EUR 3,250), the project pays back in under 4 months.
FAQ
Can a Moroccan company open a Stripe account?
No, Morocco is not among the countries where Stripe opens accounts in 2026. You need an entity in an eligible country, such as a Dutch BV or a French subsidiary.
How much does CMI onboarding cost?
Allow 2,000 to 5,000 MAD in onboarding fees, plus 100 to 300 MAD a month depending on the bank. The 1.5 to 2.5% fee is negotiable above 1,000,000 MAD of annual volume.
How long does CMI activation take?
The merchant file takes 2 to 4 weeks, including site validation by the bank. Technical integration runs in parallel in 2 to 3 weeks.
Should prices be shown in MAD and EUR?
Yes for a seller on both markets: the conversion at about 10.8 MAD per EUR must be clear, and the payment currency must follow the gateway used.
Do hospitals pay online?
Rarely by card. Offer bank transfer or purchase order payment, with cards remaining relevant for clinics and practices with orders of EUR 500 to 5,000.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your volumes in Europe and Morocco, your average order and your legal structure: we price a Stripe, CMI or dual-gateway integration between EUR 1,400 and 3,700, delivered in 3 to 6 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.